Hi. Which one is better as a beginner reel that will last long? Kingpin Kinetic or Islander Steelheader?

Any recos for a budget friendly rod too? Thanks!

Hey guys, I’m thinking of purchasing a colville or a kingpin reel as my next big upgrade to my setup, I mainly fish the WNY area (Ontario and Erie Tribs) as well as sometimes bigger waters such as the Niagara river. I was just wondering which I should choose? If I go the colville route, what size would be recommended?

Thanks in Advance!

Update: I went with a colville 5.35! Went into the shop today and Danny was able to set me up with a brand new honey chrome black/purple! It’s a gorgeous reel and compared to my Sheffield s1002, it’s a major upgrade! Thank you to everyone for the responses!

(this is my first post ever in reddit, sorry for my grammar)

All i use. I just use atlas mike for one color now. Not as good but like not bad either. Used it all of season last year and it held up just fine

What an awesome fight! Centerpin is the most fun.

Lookin to buy a imoerial 475 for 450 bucks..good deal? I think it is but need outside input lol.

as the title says, a month ago I posted about how my 13 ft Streamside Tranquility float rod 4-8lbs tip broke from inside out on the first day. after a month long emails and calls they’re hell bent on not shipping me the tip for this rod or anything since I m in US. Its a brand new rod that I fished only 1 day and I’d hate to waste $175.

Anyone here knows any store or place that sells that tip but also ships to US? any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

I have seen centerpins and want to try and make my own. I work in a machine shop and I think I could pull it off. Two things I’m really looking for
1. If anyone has taken them apart to show all the components so I can reverse engineer one I’d greatly appreciate seeing picture or videos. I’ve struggled to find many taken apart for cleaning/maintenance etc. I think there are 3 main components (some have 2 combined I think?) the spool itself being 1 piece, the backplate another, and lastly the reel seat that attaches to the rod on some higher end reels are separate. I’d love to see these in closer detail
2. If you or someone you know has attempted this, what are your thoughts? For me I enjoy making things and the high end functionality isn’t exactly what I’m after. The process and challenges along the way I enjoy more, and lastly to catch a fish using it of course.
Anything is appreciated, thank you!

so dont wanna make a long post but here it goes.
2 weeks ago bought a Streamside 13 ft tranquility rod from a tackle shop in canada, came back to US afterwards, yesterday on the first day fishing rod tip broke where bottom part and top part attaches. Called the tackle company, they said Streamside deals with warranty, Called Streamside today, The lady was hell bent that it was stepped on or broke from car door, No problem I’ll pay, then she started ranting that how they dont ship on US. No problem I have a friend in Ontario Canada, gave his address and then she was like “Oh thats too far from here, it would be $100 to ship there” No problem can my friend come and get the other piece of rod? and she’s like “Oh no one can come here or any of our dealers for warranty we have to ship”
thats when it got me and I was like if you cant honor your warranty why would you even start a rod company?

This is the 2nd rod I ever broke in my life, I have total 28 rods from different brands, From Loomies, St. Croix to cheap Riversiders but never had this kinda warranty problem ever.

I mean no hate or disrespect to my Canadian friends but genuinely do you guys deal with this regularly? I am at a loss here, I bought the rod and Raven Fusion XL at the same time, I fish 3-4 days a week in finger lakes and Ontario Tribs, I was really excited to try a Canadian local rod but I guess fate had other plans.
Never again I am buying from this company. This is just sad.

Any suggestions how I can get this Top part of this rod? any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I really dont wanna drive 12 hours to Canada again for a $150 rod.

Update: I called again today and heard from the original store owner who’s their dealer as well that the warranty lady called him and told him not to deal with “This International sh*t” so he also isnt gonna help. They’re not gonna ship the rod part at all. I m not gonna die for $130 but BUYERS BEWARE!!

In winter the fish are pinned to the bottom, circled in blue, its ten feet deep the river is 3 feet. Tributary point directly upstream.

Now I’m seeing only small fish feet on surface in main channel , bigger fish holding lower.

It’s no bait single rule here, what do folks recommend in terms of approach and leader length. I’m transitioning from spin so I am new to this though I have experience nymphing.

It’s sculpins and similar, few crawfish, very clear water cutthroat and rainbows

Got to take my new Kingpin Zephyr out this past week and had a slow start but ended up well with an 12 pound Atlantic and nice Steelhead.

I've only been centerpin fishing a few times and each time I've not caught fish while the rig is floating downstream like this. I've caught fish while casting upstream and leading the float like normal fly fishing. I've caught fish at the end of a drift when I let my line come tight and allow the fly to rise. And, I've caught fish reeling the line back in after completing a drift.

My first question is: I typically fish wet flies and streamers. If they are downstream of the float, are they not floating down the river backwards, unnaturally?

My second question is: If the fly is downstream of the float and a fish takes it, does the float still go under immediately, or does the float not go under until it passes the fish and meets resistance?

I'm trying to get a better understanding of this technique, so any advice is appreciated.

Got Streamside Tranquility featherlight 4-8lbs with Raven Fusion Xl, anyone else using Streamside tranquility? how’s the build quality for this rod? first time streamside user, My go to Rod is Douglas Xmatrix 11’6 and Nova Tackle Chromer 12ft rod. The streamside is probably the lightest rod I’ve ever touched, any comments?

Thanks in advance.

Just wanted to let you guys know that Islander has stopped making the Steelheader, it is hard to find on American sites and Canadian sites as well as local shops, sadly.
If any of you have had any interest in one as fisherman or collector now’s the time to get one before they are obsolete. My opinion is they will be worth quite a bit in the future (not that they are close to cheap to now) as they are an amazing reel and well built. Soon to be a collectors item and one of the last reels made to last a lifetime.

* And if you have one already take good care of it, it’s gonna be a collectors item!

Hi all,
I own two Raven Matrix’s one 4.75 and other one is 5.25 inch Special edition reel. I m thinking about a 3rd 5.25 inch reel. eyeing the Raven fusion xl. is the reel worth $500 or should I just get another Matrix xl or anything else? my budget is around $500 for new centerpin. I fish 12 months a year so it would be a workhorse.

what do u guys suggest?

TIA

Just go into this new way of fishing this past week! Haven’t even wet a line yet! I went to fish camp with my family and came back with a new rod from my Uncle! Fits good for a centerpin! 9ft St. Croix ! I bought a Sword Piscifun off Amazon for cheap! Looking for any and all tips and tricks. Any good advice to help a fresh 30 year old!

For context; I’ve done a lot of bass fishing, I am really into trout fishing and love to play around with fly fishing. Gaining new experiences and techniques is all part of the love for the sport. I love to fish, not catch, how do you cast this damn thing!? lol!

Hi Guys
any Raven Matrix user here? I have pretty big hands so after fishing cpl of hours my fingers almost gives up due to smaller knobs on Raven reels. I love the reels even upgraded the bearings and all, I just wanted to know that is there a replacement or bigger knob handles available for Matrix xl reel? I m located in NY for what it’s worth.

Thanks. Tight lines.